Ilya Lichtenstein Praises Trump for Early Release After Bitcoin Hack

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

Ilya Lichtenstein Praises Trump for Early Release After Bitcoin Hack

Ilya Lichtenstein, a hacker involved in the theft of billions in Bitcoin, has been released from prison after serving just over a year of his five-year sentence. His release was announced on the platform X, where he credited former President Trump for the early release through the First Step Act.

Early Release Under the First Step Act

The First Step Act, enacted in 2018 during Trump’s presidency, aims to reform criminal justice and expand options for early prison release. Lichtenstein expressed gratitude for the act, stating, “Thanks to President Trump’s First Step Act, I have been released from prison early. I remain committed to making a positive impact in cybersecurity as soon as I can.”

A Trump administration official confirmed Lichtenstein’s early release, explaining that he had served significant time and was now on home confinement, in accordance with Bureau of Prisons policies.

Legal Background and Sentence

Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan, were arrested in 2022 for their roles in laundering stolen Bitcoin from the 2016 hack of the Bitfinex crypto exchange. While Lichtenstein received a five-year sentence for his actions, Morgan, known by her rap alias “Razzlekhan,” was sentenced to only 18 months, and she also experienced an early release.

Impact on Their Lives

Heather Morgan announced her release from a bathtub in a post on X, showcasing the couple’s unusual path through legal troubles. Their story has captured considerable public attention, leading to a Netflix docuseries and an upcoming film highlighting their exploits related to the heist.